Wild Turkey(s) in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey. The NJ Division of Wildlife's Turkey Restoration Project represents one of the greatest wildlife management success stories in the history of the state. By the mid-1800s, turkeys had disappeared in New Jersey due to habitat changes and killing for food. Wild turkeys were reintroduced in 1977 with the release of 22 birds. The current population is estimated at 20,000 - 23,000.